BRITISH AND FOREIGN.

Southland Times, Issue 8062, 17 July 1885, Page 2

BRITISH AND FOREIGN.

[By Elrotbic Telegraph — Copybight.]

(BBUIEB'S TELEGRAMS):

LONDON, July 15. Cousols are at 98 J ; an advance of £. New Zealand securities are unchanged. The market rate of discount is J ; and the bank rate 2 per cent. Colonial breadstuffs remain at previous quotations. Wool— To-day's market was quiet. For the next series of colonial wool auctions 220,000 bales have already arrived. Arrived— Loch Fergus, from Oamaru, (March 14th). The R.M.S. Tongariro, from Wellington (June 7th), arrived at Plymouth last night. Her frozen meat cargo i|_ reported in good condition. ""

Jctly 16

In the Houae of Commons last night Lord Randolph Churchill, Secretary for India, announced that the Government were in receipt of a report from 001, Ridgeway,. in pharge of the Afghan Boundary Commission, to the effect that the Russian force, in the vicinity of the Zulfikar Pass was being considerably in creased. -„

It is annbnnced that Lieut-Co!. H. P. Peacock and Oiptain Yates have gone to Herat to watch the , place, to which the Boundary Commission are now proceeding. At the meeting of the Federation League held in Liverpool to-day, resolutions were passed affirming that the federation of the Empire is essential, but deprecating any attempt to interfere with the rights of local parliaments.

The Boundary Commission has removed to Herat at; the request of the Afghan authorities in order to direct the works being carried oui for the defence of that place. The Union Bank of Australia has declared a dividend for the paat half-year at 6^ per cent, per annum, and carries forward and places to reserve fund, L 56,000.

(SPECIAL TO PRESS ASSOCIATION). LONDON, July 15. The balance-sheet of the National Bank of New Zealand shows the doubtful debts to be L 130.000. . L.100,000 a£ the capital account, and LIO,OOO from the reserve fund have been transferred to contingent bad debts' account. Consideration of the Federation Enabling Bill in committee has been postponed from to-morrow until Monday n«xt. Sir S. Samuel, Agent-General for New South Wales, has, on behalf of his Government, submitted further amendments on the bill. It is reported tbat H.M.S. Beaoon will be prndented to one of tho Australian colonies. The Beacon is a double screw composite gun-veesel of 630 tons, and capable of carrying four guos, July 16. Russia claims what practically amounts to the command of the Zulfikar Pass, aad the Czar offers to refer the matter to the Afghan Frontier Commission, but the Marquis of Salisbury has declined to accede to this. Three thousand Russians are now in the vicinity of the Pasp, All the Powers with the exception of Russia aesent to England issuing an Egyptian loan. This is regarded as a triumph for the Marquis of Salisbury.